sup and bite,' and why can you not sleep here? My father expects you to do so, dear sir." 66 Nay, I cannot do that, fair lady! you forget my responsibility. I might be ordered off at daylight to-morrow!" Might you, really?" said Anne, looking sad. "Would it grieve you, Anne? would you care you heard I were gone, had sailed for three or four years?" if 66 Yes, it would!" said Anne frankly, with deepening colour and tearful eyes, "it would." "Dear Anne! is it really so? You make me too happy. Can you could you love me? or has your handsome cousin, Barnabas, won your heart?" and Hugh took her hand. "Nay, I do not love Barny, except just as my cousin. I know dear father wishes me to marry him, but I" and Anne hesitated. "Do you? say it out, sweet Anne: do you prefer me?" and Hugh's voice trembled with excitement. Anne nodded her pretty head, and smiled. "Anne, dear Anne, I'll return to-morrow, and ask your father for your hand. I have not your cousin's broad acres, nor his noble mansion, but I have enough to make you happy!" So saying, his arm found its way round her slight form, and he stole his first kiss from her lips. Anne Leigh, as she disrobed that night, after Hugh's declaration of love, and was furling and unfurling her fan, discovered with beating heart Hugh's pencilled lines “J'aime Mademoiselle Anne," and repeatedly pressed her lips to the words, ere she put her treasured fan away. A CHAPTER XIII. HUGH'S MARRIAGE. FTER a hurried farewell to Mr. Leigh, Hugh left Thorleigh, the hospitable Squire bidding him return soon, as he could not remain the night. How beautiful the harvest moon shone! never had the "sun of the sleepless" appeared more bright and beautiful! All things take their colour from our own hearts; and Hugh's was bounding with pride and joy. He had won his bride, and secured a daughter his own sweet mother would fondly love; all was silvered over with moonbeams! The road seemed far pleasanter and shorter than in the morning, and speedily he reached the coast, whence he could hail his little sloop; his shout was quickly heard, and a boat put off to take him aboard. We need not linger long over Hugh's courtship. The old Squire was at first rather startled, and a trifle disappointed; he had wished to see his daughter mistress of the fair mansion of Northcourt, and the happy wife of Barnabas Leigh; but, he said, the lass must have her way, and the love of an honourable smart young sailor was an honour, a boon no girl could despise; and so it was soon settled, and Hugh wrote to his mother as follows: "MY DEARLY-LOVED MOTHER, "You will be surprised at the news I have to send you. Hitherto your love has filled my heart; now I have another to share your place in it. “I love Anne Leigh, the daughter of the old Squire I have mentioned to you; she is young, and fair, and sweet, and as good and pure as she is lovely. "Her father has given his consent to our union. Dear mother, will you love her as your daughter, and bless us on our marriage? Your sanction, your approval, and blessing, are all I want to make me the happiest of men. "Sweet Anne Leigh bears your name, and will, I am sure, emulate you in all your virtues. Tell Margot to wish me joy. "Your ever-dutiful and loving Son, "HUGH CHRISTIAN." Written from Thorleigh House, August 12th, 1775. The answer from his much-loved mother came as soon as the uncertain post of those days could bring it, and was as follows: “MY DEAREST Son, "Your letter has filled me with sur prise and joy! but the latter feeling predomi |